BIOLOGY FORM ONE – 50 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

SECTION A: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What is Biology?
   Answer: Biology is the scientific study of living organisms.

2. Name the two main branches of Biology.
   Answer: Botany and Zoology.

3. What is Botany?
   Answer: Botany is the branch of Biology that deals with the study of plants.

4. What is Zoology?
   Answer: Zoology is the branch of Biology that deals with the study of animals.

5. Mention four characteristics of living organisms.
   Answer: Nutrition, respiration, growth and reproduction.

6. What is nutrition?
   Answer: Nutrition is the process by which organisms obtain and use nutrients for their activities.

7. What is respiration?
   Answer: Respiration is the process by which energy is released from food in living cells.

8. What is reproduction?
   Answer: Reproduction is the process by which living organisms produce new individuals of their own kind.

9. What is growth?
   Answer: Growth is a permanent increase in the size and dry mass of an organism.

10. What is excretion?
    Answer: Excretion is the removal of metabolic waste products from the body.

11. What is sensitivity?
    Answer: Sensitivity is the ability of an organism to detect and respond to changes in its environment.

12. What is movement?
    Answer: Movement is a change in position of an organism or part of an organism.

13. What is a cell?
    Answer: A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of a living organism.

14. Name two types of cells.
    Answer: Plant cells and animal cells.

15. Name the organelle responsible for controlling cell activities.
    Answer: Nucleus.

16. What is the function of the cell membrane?
    Answer: It controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell.

17. What is the function of cytoplasm?
    Answer: It is the site of many chemical reactions in the cell.

18. What is the function of mitochondria?
    Answer: Mitochondria are the sites of aerobic respiration and energy release.

19. What is the function of chloroplasts?
    Answer: Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and are the sites of photosynthesis.

20. Give one difference between a plant cell and an animal cell.
    Answer: A plant cell has a cell wall and chloroplasts, while an animal cell does not.

21. What is a tissue?
    Answer: A tissue is a group of similar cells performing a particular function.

22. What is an organ?
    Answer: An organ is a structure made up of different tissues working together to perform a specific function.

23. What is an organ system?
    Answer: An organ system is a group of organs working together to perform a major function in an organism.

24. What is a microscope?
    Answer: A microscope is an instrument used to magnify objects that are too small to be seen clearly with the naked eye.

25. Mention two parts of a light microscope.
    Answer: Eyepiece lens and objective lens.

SECTION B: COMPETENCE-BASED QUESTIONS

26. A student observes a green plant growing toward a source of light. Which characteristic of living organisms is demonstrated?
    Answer: Sensitivity or response to stimuli.

27. A farmer notices that maize seeds kept without water do not germinate. What does this observation suggest?
    Answer: Water is necessary for seed germination.

28. A student places a plant in darkness for several days. The leaves become pale. Which substance is affected or reduced?
    Answer: Chlorophyll.

29. Why are green plants important to animals?
    Answer: They produce food through photosynthesis and release oxygen needed for respiration.

30. A person runs for a long distance and starts breathing faster. Why does this happen?
    Answer: The body needs more oxygen and energy, so the breathing rate increases.

31. A student accidentally touches a hot object and quickly moves the hand away. Which characteristic of living organisms is shown?
    Answer: Sensitivity or response to stimuli.

32. A farmer applies manure to soil before planting crops. Why is manure useful?
    Answer: It adds nutrients to the soil needed for healthy plant growth.

33. A plant has green leaves but is kept without sunlight. What process will be affected?
    Answer: Photosynthesis.

34. Why is the cell membrane important to a cell?
    Answer: It regulates the movement of substances into and out of the cell.

35. A student observes a specimen under a microscope but cannot see it clearly. Mention one thing the student should adjust.
    Answer: The focusing system, such as the coarse or fine adjustment knob.

36. Why should a microscope be handled carefully?
    Answer: It is a delicate and precise instrument that can easily be damaged.

37. A student observes onion cells under a microscope. Name one structure that can be clearly observed.
    Answer: Cell wall.

38. A student observes a cheek cell. Which structure is likely to be observed and used to identify the cell as an animal cell?
    Answer: The absence of a cell wall and chloroplasts; the cell membrane and nucleus can be observed.

39. Why do cells need energy?
    Answer: Cells need energy to carry out activities such as growth, movement, transport and repair.

40. A person eats food containing carbohydrates. What is the main importance of carbohydrates in the body?
    Answer: They provide energy.

41. Why is a balanced diet important?
    Answer: It provides the body with all essential nutrients in appropriate amounts for proper growth, development and health.

42. A child is not growing properly and has weak bones. Which nutrient may be lacking?
    Answer: Calcium and/or vitamin D.

43. A student spends a long time in a dark room and then enters a bright room. The eyes adjust to the brightness. What characteristic of living organisms is demonstrated?
    Answer: Sensitivity.

44. Why do living organisms need oxygen?
    Answer: Oxygen is needed for aerobic respiration, which releases energy from food.

45. A plant has broad leaves. How can broad leaves help the plant?
    Answer: They provide a large surface area for absorbing light for photosynthesis.

46. A student finds an organism that can grow, reproduce, respire and respond to stimuli. How can the student classify it?
    Answer: It can be identified as a living organism because it shows characteristics of living things.

47. Why is reproduction important to living organisms?
    Answer: It ensures the continuation of a species.

48. A person produces sweat after exercising. What is the importance of sweating?
    Answer: It helps regulate body temperature and removes some metabolic wastes.

49. Why should students learn Biology?
    Answer: Biology helps students understand living organisms, their environment, health and how living systems function.

50. A student is asked to investigate whether light is necessary for photosynthesis. Suggest a suitable experiment.
    Answer: Keep part of a green leaf covered with opaque material and expose the plant to sunlight for some time. Test the leaf for starch. The exposed part should contain starch while the covered part should not, showing that light is necessary for photosynthesis.